Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Red Bull X-Alps 2017 will start on July 2nd and will be the eighth edition of the world’s toughest adventure race. The combination of trekking and paragliding is one of the most exciting hybrids to emerge from the ongoing convergence of mountain sports.
Starting in Salzburg, 32 Athletes of 21 nationalities will race across the Alps to Monaco via 7 turnpoints in 7 different countries.

But before the main event, the one-day Leatherman Prologue race takes place in Salzburgerland. The top three finishers will each win an additional Ledlenser Night Pass, allowing them to race through the mandatory rest period.The one-day Leatherman Prologue race takes place in Fuschl am See tomorrow June 29, with athletes competing in a tough hike and fly race around the mountains made famous in the movie, The Sound of Music.
Athletes will start racing at 10:00am in Fuschl am See.

Start: Fuschl am See, Strandbad

Turnpoint 1: Zwölferhorn

Turnpoint 2: Schafberg

Finish: Fuschl am See

The top three finishers will each win an additional Ledlenser Night Pass, allowing them to race through the mandatory rest period. On day two of the main race, the usual 5:00am start will be delayed for each athlete by the time in which they finished the Leatherman prologue race behind the prologue winner.
In 2015, the Prologue was won by Paul Guschlbauer in 2h 21m. Stanislav Mayer (CZE) was 2nd in 2h 22m and Gavin McClurg (USA2) came 3rd in 2h 24m.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

The Kiwi team dominated the final stage of the 35th America’s Cup, winning eight races to Oracle Team USA’s one race win, giving the New Zealanders a final winning scoreline of 7-1.
The America’s Cup was last won by a team representing New Zealand in 2000 and they are now the Defenders of the America’s Cup for the 36th installment of the competition for the oldest trophy in international sport.
In the final press conference of the 35th America’s Cup, Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, also announced that the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has accepted the challenge of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, who will be the Challenger of Record for the 36th America's Cup and will be represented by Luna Rossa.

Reading the statements of Peter Burling and Glenn Ashby, it is easy to understand the true dimension of this event.
"We’re just blown away. We came here to win the America’s Cup and right now we’re taking the America’s Cup back home to New Zealand.To be able to win eight races in Beautiful Bermuda in front of a big crowd of our own fans is overwhelming, we’re just happy to be able to share this moment with them, we’re just blown away.I’ve grown up watching this competition as a fan and to be a Kiwi and taking this Cup home is a dream come trueTo be able to win this event at such a young age is an unreal feeling. However, I’m just a tiny part of a massive team and it is incredible to be able to reward the hard work of those hundreds of people who have supported us, not only here but back home in New Zealand as well", said Peter Burling, helmsman, Emirates Team New Zealand.
"I’m just so proud to be a part of this team and to be able to bring the Cup home and I want to thank the support of the whole country.

What happened in 2013 was a brutal experience for everyone involved, to be so close was extremely disappointing and is something that will live with all of us for the rest of our lives.

So to be able to come here a few years later and pull off an unbelievable victory has really redeemed that situation for New Zealand and it feels like justice has prevailed.

I think we’ve seen some unbelievable advancements here with the boats and the type of races we’ve seen and it’s great for our sport. From a sailing perspective it’s going to be hard to sail anything else after what we’ve seen in these boats, the technology is just absolutely amazing", said Glenn Ashby, Skipper, Emirates Team New Zealand.

On the other hand, the statements of Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, define very well the spirit behind major events and as only being faithful to this type of events will have a promising future ahead:

"It is important that we make the next America’s Cup affordable but we also need to remember that it is the America’s Cup and it is one of the top sports and not a little beach regatta. It is never going to be cheap.

It is a fine balance between not making it prohibitively expensive, but not being so cheap that it devalues the competition.

At the core of what we believe, we have to create an event that takes a lot of the good that has happened here, because there been a lot of good here. Just because we didn’t sign the Framework Agreement, that doesn’t mean to say there weren’t elements we didn’t agree with, it was just didn’t agree with every element.

To me it is a privilege to host the America’s Cup. It is not a right and we will put in place rules and an organisation of our own that will do everything to be good enough",

Monday, June 26, 2017

Red Bull X-Alps 2017 will start on July 2nd and will be the eighth edition of the world’s toughest adventure race. The combination of trekking and paragliding is one of the most exciting hybrids to emerge from the ongoing convergence of mountain sports.
Starting in Salzburg, 32 Athletes of 21 nationalities will race across the Alps to Monaco via 7 turnpoints in 7 different countries.
Athletes must journey non-stop for more than 1,000km across the Alps by foot or paraglider via set turnpoints. This demands a high level of endurance because when the weather isn’t friendly for flying, athletes must keep trekking until the clouds clear and they can take off again. It’s not uncommon for athletes to hike up to 100km in a day.
Being selected to compete in the world’s toughest and most prestigious adventure race is an achievement in itself. The race committee selects only the best athletes from around the world, based on solid mountaineering and trekking experience, endurance fitness, mental strength and flying ability. Only the most skilled and adventure-tested athletes will be considered.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

The 2017 edition of Red Bull X-Alps is only 7 days away and for many of the athletes, it will be the biggest race of their career.

Red Bull X-Alps 2017 will start on July 2nd and will be the eighth edition of the world’s toughest adventure race. The combination of trekking and paragliding is one of the most exciting hybrids to emerge from the ongoing convergence of mountain sports.
Starting in Salzburg, 32 Athletes of 21 nationalities will race across the Alps to Monaco via 7 turnpoints in 7 different countries.
Athletes must journey non-stop for more than 1,000km across the Alps by foot or paraglider via set turnpoints. This demands a high level of endurance because when the weather isn’t friendly for flying, athletes must keep trekking until the clouds clear and they can take off again. It’s not uncommon for athletes to hike up to 100km in a day.
Being selected to compete in the world’s toughest and most prestigious adventure race is an achievement in itself. The race committee selects only the best athletes from around the world, based on solid mountaineering and trekking experience, endurance fitness, mental strength and flying ability. Only the most skilled and adventure-tested athletes will be considered.
In the race’s first editions, only one or two athletes had what it takes to make it from Salzburg to the finish line in Monaco. Ever since, the level of competition has intensified and in the last race two-thirds of the athletes made the goal.
The 2015 edition saw 19 athletes of the 32 that competed make the goal – a record number since the first race in 2003. Incredibly, 12 rookies crossed the finish line, including athletes from the US, Korea, New Zealand and elsewhere for the first time in history.

Reigning champion and four-time consecutive winner of Red Bull X-Alps Christian ‘Chrigel’ Maurer from Switzerland is the main candidate to win the race. For the first time however, Chrigel will be replacing his long-time teammate Thomas Theurillat with a new supporter, which may raise questions about whether he can retain the title. "At the start line, I know I can make it, but on the other hand every edition is new and different. This is what motivates me to do it again", he says confidently.

Toma Coconea (ROU) is the only athlete to appear in all eight editions of Red Bull X-Alps. Over the years, he has secured two second place finishes and proved himself as a serious endurance runner. Toma is one to watch as he knows both the contest and the different strategic vantage points very well.

For Jose Ignacio Arévalo Guede (ESP) this will be his first ever Red Bull X-Alps. In recent years he has been highly successful in national contests, but can he bring the same performance to the Alps?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a rookie or a veteran; everybody prepares differently for Red Bull X-Alps. The new route down to Slovenia and the unpredictable weather conditions present an almost infinite number of possibilities during the race. For this reason alone, a single strategy simply won’t cut it. Taking the title requires physical strength, unbreakable spirit and above all, versatility.

Last January, during a press conference at The House of Garrard in London, United Kingdom where the America’s Cup trophy was originally crafted in 1848, skippers and team leaders revealed a framework agreement that would cover the next two editions, the 36th and 37th America’s Cup, due to take place in 2019 and 2021 respectively. Racing in the 35th America’s Cup will take place in Bermuda in May/June of this year and the 36th America's Cup cycle will commence thereafter.

The framework agreement provides stability and gives interested teams an opportunity to plan longer term. It establishes a modern sporting, technology and design challenge, within which costs are controlled to provide a much lower entry price, which will encourage more teams to be involved and ultimately create larger audiences and help incentivize more people to go sailing.

As is required, the framework agreement respects and upholds all aspects of the Deed of Gift, the document that lies at the heart of the America’s Cup.The Deed of Gift is the foundational document governing the America’s Cup. One of the unique aspects of the competition is that after winning the racing on the water, the victorious yacht club and its team then become the trustees of the event, responsible for outlining the terms of the next edition.

Historically, this has seen a crescendo of interest in the America’s Cup as the final races take place, followed by an extended period of down-time during which the new Defender re-defines the equipment and format of the next event, and builds a business structure to manage the next edition of a major, globalized, international competition, all while maintaining its core focus on winning as a sports team. This has resulted in teams being disbanded and costly equipment being made redundant and discarded.Jimmy Spithill, the skipper of two-time winner and current defending champion, Oracle Team USA said, "We have all seen how damaging that extended quiet period can be for each of the stakeholders in the event. What we’ve done over the past year is to work together to tackle that problem head-on.

We know that one of the current teams is going to win, so we have found common ground on a vision for the next event, and formalized that into rules now, before racing starts later this year. That means there is now a clear plan in place that confirms the format for the competition using existing boats and equipment as much as possible to reduce costs.

I think this announcement will go down as one of the defining moments in America’s Cup history. It’s great for fans, athletes, and commercially – a win win for everyone. This is a huge step forward, with the sky the limit".Iain Percy, Team Manager of Artemis Racing gave his insight into how the America’s Cup is progressing, saying, "I’ve been competing as a sailor in the America’s Cup World Series for the last two years and I’ve experienced first hand the huge swell of interest. We all realize that we’re on the right track as a sport and it is the right time to build on it for this and the next generations of top sailors".Larry Ellison said, "It is a very modern sport, it's a very extreme sport, it's a team sport and it’s country v country so I am very optimistic that we can make this sport very attractive to the next generation of athletes. The kids love it, and this will also help make it attractive to people who don't go out and sail every day, but love watching the competition on TV".

Dean Barker, CEO and Skipper of SoftBank Team Japan endorsed the sheer spectacle that is America’s Cup racing in its modern guise: "It’s high octane, seat of the pants racing with plenty of action and plenty of drama. It can be very unpredictable but it’s a true test of machines, technology and people and the racing now is a hell of a lot better than it’s ever been before".

Saturday, June 24, 2017

The America's Cup has always been about pushing the limits of technology in sailing, particularly in recent years. One of the hallmarks of the modern America's Cup is the introduction of foiling, reaching speeds never seen before and allowing the boats to literally "fly" above the water.

In this edition of the America's Cup the innovation has arrived to the race of the hand of the Emirates Team New Zealand.
The cycle grinding innovation. Bike on a boat? Here's the story behind the innovation.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Events are everywhere and are present in our everyday life. They have turned into an ever-growing industry. The field of special events is now so large that it is impossible to provide a definition that includes all the different types of events available.

Major events are events that, due to their scale and media appeal, attract a large number of spectators and media as well as the corresponding economic benefits to the place where they are held.

Sports event tourism refers to sports activities or competitions that attract a considerable number of visitors who participate or attend as spectators.

Among the major sporting events stands out one that is currently being held in Bermuda: The America's Cup.
First contested in 1851, the America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, predating the modern Olympic Games by 45 years, and is yachting’s biggest prize.

The trophy’s roots date back to when a syndicate of businessmen from New York sailed the schooner America across the Atlantic Ocean to represent the United States at the World’s Fair in England. The schooner won a race around the Isle of Wight and, with it, a trophy called the £100 Cup. (It was subsequently inscribed, incorrectly, as the 100 Guineas Cup).
The Cup is an ornate sterling silver bottomless ewer crafted in 1848 by Garrard & Co. Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey bought one and donated it for the Royal Yacht Squadron's 1851 Annual Regatta around the Isle of Wight.

After winning the trophy, the United States embarked on what would become the longest winning streak in the history of sport, a 132-year stretch of domination that saw boats representing the country successfully defend the trophy 24 times from 1870 through 1980—until 1983, when Australia II became the first successful challenger to lift the trophy. For the first time in 132 years, the America’s Cup was leaving the New York Yacht Club.
Only four nations have won the America's Cup: United States, Australia (1983), New Zealand (1995, 2000) and Switzerland (2003, 2007).

Bermuda is the host the of 35th America’s Cup. Racing started with the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers on 26th and the 35th America’s Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton began on 17th June, 2017.

Bermuda is composed of 181 islands, totalling 21 square miles, and has just over 60,000 residents. Renowned for crystal blue water and beautiful pink sand beaches, Bermuda’s Great Sound form a natural amphitheatre for the race course and the America’s Cup Village at the Royal Naval Dockyard, is the beating heart of the America’s Cup experience.

Oracle Team USA is the defending champion of the America’s Cup, after winning the last two editions in 2010 and 2013.

Emirates Team New Zealand is the 2017 challenger after sailing away from their Swedish rivals in the best-of-nine challenger final 5-2.

The head-to-head between Oracle Team USA and Emirates Team New Zealand is a rematch of the 2013 America’s Cup Match in which Oracle Team USA staged what many call the greatest comeback in sport, turning an 8-1 deficit into a 9-8 victory over Emirates Team New Zealand in San Francisco.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) announced during its 54th Annual Meeting skier visits at its 22-member ski areas totaled 7.3 million during the 2016-17 season. It is estimated that after final numbers are tallied, the 2016-17 season will be the state’s second best season on record. This year’s season total was up six percent over the five-year average, marking the fourth consecutive year that skier visits at CSCUSA resorts have outperformed the five-year average.

"This season had a little bit of everything", said Colorado Ski Country USA President and CEO Melanie Mills. "A warm fall kept skiers away from the high country early in the season, but deep snow totals in December and January attracted record numbers of guests during the busy holiday period. Our resorts continue to set the industry standard for guest experience, which is reflected in this year’s numbers".The 2016-17 season kicked off with Arapahoe Basin Ski Area winning the friendly race to open with neighbor Loveland Ski Area, becoming the nation’s first ski area to open on October 21, 2016. The season was full of exciting events and highlights including the return of the Winter Park Express in January and the World Cup Finals at Aspen Snowmass in March, the first time the event has been in the U.S. in 20 years. The season ended on a strong note with heavy snow totals allowing for season extensions at four CSCUSA resorts.

"These are very strong numbers, especially considering the warm start to the season", continued Mills. "Colorado’s consistently great snow conditions are a draw for in-state, out-of-state and international guests. Colorado Ski Country USA resorts truly have something for everyone and with a family friendly environment that is second to none, we’re looking forward to another strong season in 2017-18".Skier visits are the metric used to track participation in skiing and snowboarding. A skier visit represents a person participating in the sport of skiing or snowboarding for any part of one day at a mountain resort. These numbers are preliminary results and subject to final adjustment by CSCUSA members.During the 2016-17 season, many CSCUSA resorts and employees were honored with national awards and recognition. Sunlight Mountain Resort, located outside of Glenwood Springs, received an award from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) for its marketing campaign celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The Sunny 700 was the nation’s most expensive lift ticket, but came with a custom 50th anniversary ski. Copper Mountain Resort was a finalist in NSAA’s Conversion Cup, which recognizes resorts that have outstanding programs to convert new skiers and snowboarders into lifelong enthusiasts. Ethan Mueller, the President of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, earned a 2017 SAMMY Leadership Award from Ski Area Management Magazine after being nominated by his peers. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated the leadership skills needed to help steer the snowsports industry into the future.

Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) is the not-for-profit trade association representing 22 Colorado ski & snowboard resorts. CSCUSA is the global voice of the Colorado ski industry. The Association’s primary functions are concentrated in marketing, public policy and public relations.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Peak Resorts, Inc. is a publicly owned Missouri-company that operates ski resorts in the Midwest and Northeast United States.The company was founded in 1977 by Tim Boyd. In 1982 he bought his first ski resort (Hidden Valley Ski Area). Shortly thereafter he opened a ski-resort in suburban Kansas City, Missouri at Weston, Missouri (Snow Creek Ski Resort).

Launched in March, 2015, next winter a new Peak Pass offers access to seven different mountain locations across four states in the Northeast. Resorts include Mount Snow in Vermont; Attitash, Wildcat and Crotched Mountains in New Hampshire; Hunter Mountain in New York; and Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania."This winter, we looked at all of our pass products across the Northeast, including the offerings of our newest acquisition, Hunter Mountain", stated Tim Boyd, CEO and president of Peak Resorts. "We felt the variety of each resort's on-mountain experience, as well as the proximity of our resorts, makes the Peak Pass a unique and affordable product for the vast majority of skiers and riders in the Northeastern U.S".

Last season, Peak Resorts launched a new season pass. The new Peak Pass features a total of six pass options valid at seven different mountain locations across four states in the Northeast. Resorts include Mount Snow in Vermont; Attitash, Wildcat and Crotched Mountains in New Hampshire; Hunter Mountain in New York; and Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania.

"We felt the variety of each resort's on-mountain experience, as well as the proximity of our resorts, makes the Peak Pass a unique and affordable product for the vast majority of skiers and riders in the Northeastern U.S", stated Tim Boyd, CEO and president of Peak Resorts.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Boyne Resorts is still a family owned company, based in Boyne Falls, Michigan, and the largest privately owned ski and golf corporation in the country.In 2000, SKI Magazine honored Kircher himself as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Skiers of All Time". Placing him beside Olympic athletes, inventors and filmmakers such as, World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, Jean-Claude Killy and the popular filmmaker, Warren Miller.

Boyne Resorts' portfolio currently includes Michigan's two premier mountain and golf resorts, Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain; and The Inn at Bay Harbor - A Renaissance Golf Resort in Michigan; Big Sky Resort in Montana--founded by the late Chet Huntley in 1970; Brighton Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City, Utah; Crystal Mountain near the Mt. Rainier National Park in Seattle and The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington; Loon Mountain in New Hampshire; Sugarloaf and Sunday River resorts in Maine; Cypress Mountain near Vancouver, British Columbia--official freestyle skiing and snowboard venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games; Gatlinburg Sky Lift near the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Boyne Resorts continues to build and improve four-season destinations to fit "a way of life" for the active families and friends who gather there. Offering the very best in golf, ski, tennis, biking, hiking and cross-country skiing together with luxurious accommodations, fine dining, cozy restaurants and lounges and exquisite spa facilities, Boyne remains a leader in the industry.

Boyne Resortshas teamed up with POWDR Enterprises to form the POWDR-Boyne partnership alliance. This strategic alliance provides brand partners the opportunity to leverage and activate the combined reach and influence of these world-class resorts.

In March, 2015, Intrawest, Powdr and Boyne Resorts jointly launched the new and revolutionary M.A.X Pass. Since then POWDR Enterprises also has joined forces with other resorts across North America to bring skiers a better M.A.X. Pass. The 2017/18 Multi Alpine Experience (M.A.X.) Pass provides access to 44 mountains all over North America. M.A.X. Passholders will get 5 days of skiing or riding at each of the 44 participating resorts for the 2017/2018 ski season:

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

POWDR is a private, family-owned company run with the mission to share, inspire, and celebrate lifestyle and mountain sports.
Within POWDR’s portfolio are nine mountain resorts including Copper Mountain and Eldora Mountain Resort in Colorado; Killington and Pico Mountain in Vermont; Boreal Mountain Resort and Soda Springs in the Lake Tahoe region of California; Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, Lee Canyon in Nevada, and Gorgoza Park in Park City.
Also included in POWDR’s portfolio are the Woodward camps and progression centers which includes Woodward Pennsylvania, Woodward Copper in Colorado, Woodward Tahoe and Woodward West in Stallion Springs, California.

Through ownership of Human Movement Management in Louisville, Colorado, POWDR fuels participation in the adventure lifestyle with a collection of festivals, themed runs and branded events. Outside Television, based in Westport, Connecticut, is the national active, outside-lifestyle programming network subsidiary of POWDR, and Sun Country Tours in Oregon is the company’s river rafting outfitter.

POWDR Corporation is one of the largest ski resort operators in North America. Unlike its competitors, Powdr focuses on ski area operations rather than real estate development. It is owned by the Cumming family and headquartered in Park City, Utah. John Cumming, who co-founded the clothing company Mountain Hardwear (Columbia Sportswear purchased Mountain Hardwear in 2003) is the current CEO.
POWDR was founded in 1994 by John Cumming with the purchase of Park City Mountain Resort. On September 2014 Vail Resorts announced that the Company has acquired Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) from Powdr Corp. for $182.5 million in cash, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The acquisition includes all of the assets of Greater Park City Company (GPCC), the land used for ski terrain at the resort held by Ian Cumming, and certain base parking lands owned by Powdr Development Corp., which have approved zoning for approximately 687,000 square feet of residential and commercial development. The acquisition does not include the Gorgoza tubing operation, located approximately 10 miles from the resort, which will be retained by Powdr Corp.
Powdr’s nine Mountain resorts cover regions in the Mountain West, the Pacific Northwest , and the Northeast. The company is based in Park City, Utah.

POWDR Enterprises has teamed up with Boyne Resorts, a family-owned operator of 12 resorts and attractions across North America, to form the POWDR-Boyne partnership alliance. This strategic alliance provides brand partners the opportunity to leverage and activate the combined reach and influence of these world-class resorts.

In March, 2015, Intrawest, Powdr and Boyne Resorts jointly launched the new and revolutionary M.A.X Pass. Since then POWDR Enterprises also has joined forces with other resorts across North America to bring skiers a better M.A.X. Pass. The 2017/18 Multi Alpine Experience (M.A.X.) Pass provides access to 44 mountains all over North America. M.A.X. Passholders will get 5 days of skiing or riding at each of the 44 participating resorts for the 2017/2018 ski season:

Monday, June 12, 2017

KSL Capital Partners, LLC is a U.S. private equity firm dedicated to investments in travel and leisure businesses. The company private equity investments range across travel and leisure businesses, such as hotels and resorts, clubs, fitness, ski and resort real estate. It has offices in Denver, Connecticut and London.

KSL Capital Partners was formed in 2005 by Michael S. Shannon, the firm's Chairman, and Eric C. Resnick, Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Shannon was a founding principal of KSL Recreation Corporation in 1992, which was a platform company of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. Over the next decade, with the assistance of Mr. Resnick as its Chief Financial Officer and KKR, KSL Recreation grew to become one of the largest independent owners and operators of resorts, controlling some of the most well known destinations in the world. KSL owns 2 Mountain Resorts in California, on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada: Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley.
On September 27, 2016, KSL Capital Partners, LLChave entered into a definitive agreement to sell an aggregate of 2,727,750 common shares of Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. in private transactions for CAD$36.38 per common share (or CAD$99.2 million in aggregate) representing approximately 7.1% of Whistler Blackcomb’s issued and outstanding common shares. Following completion of the transaction, KSL will continue to exercise control or direction over 6,364,750 common shares or 16.7% of Whistler Blackcomb’s issued and outstanding common shares.

On April 10, 2017, Intrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a newly-formed entity controlled by affiliates of the Aspen Skiing Company, L.L.C. and KSL Capital Partners, LLC.

Intrawest owns and/or operates six four-season mountain resorts with approximately 8,000 skiable acres and over 1,100 acres of land available for real estate development. Intrawest’s mountain resorts are geographically diversified across most of North America’s major ski regions, including the Eastern United States, the Rocky Mountains, and Canada (Blue Mountain in Ontario, Snowshoe in West Virginia, Steamboat in Colorado, Stratton in Vermont, Tremblant in Quebec,Canada, and Winter Park Resort in Colorado). The Company also operates an adventure travel business, the cornerstone of which is Canadian Mountain Holidays, a leading heli-skiing adventure company in North America. Additionally, the Company operates a comprehensive real estate business through which it manages condominium hotel properties and sells and markets residential real estate.

On April 12, 2017, Mammoth Resorts, the owner of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain and June Mountain, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a newly formed entity controlled by affiliates of the Aspen Skiing Company, L.L.C. and KSL Capital Partners, LLC.

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows combined operations at the end of 2011 and offer skiers and riders over 6,000 acres, 44 lifts and over 270 trails on a common lift ticket.
Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is internationally renowned for legendary terrain that spans 3,600 skiable acres, six peaks and 30 chairlifts, and ranges from an expansive mountaintop beginner area to unrivaled expert steeps, trees and bowls. Off the mountain, families relax in The Village at Squaw Valley, enjoying a host of restaurants, bars, boutiques and art galleries.
Squaw Valley was purchased by KSL Capital Partners in November 2010.
In September 2011, Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley Ski Resort merged. The two resorts will retain their distinct identities and unite under common management led by Squaw Valley’s parent company, KSL Capital Partners, LLC. Alpine Meadows’ parent, JMA Ventures, will own a smaller part. The new umbrella entity over both resorts will be known as Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, LLC

Ranked as a top winter resort by SKI Magazine, Alpine Meadows is known for its abundant and varied skiable terrain, family-friendly atmosphere, and innovative children’s ski and snowboard programs. Alpine’s seven powder bowls, groomed slopes, and authentic hospitality are among the many attributes that have made the resort a favorite of the local community and visitors alike. Alpine Meadows offers skiers and riders access to more than 100 trails across 2,400 skiable acres serviced by 14 lifts.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

In August 15, 2012, four of the world’s best independent resorts, -Alta, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows-, launched The Mountain Collective Ski Pass. When the Pass was released in 2012, the market was already shifting away from expensive single-mountain passes designed for skiers who lived and skied at one mountain.
"When we set out to create this pass, we asked ourselves, ‘If we weren’t in the industry, what pass would we buy?’ These are the mountains we want to ski and we’ve really strived to keep the initial price low and add more value over the years", said Aspen’s Vice President of Marketing Christian Knapp, who was involved in the creation of the Collective and continues to manage it. "Multi-resort passes are here to stay. People want variety and choice. They want to chase the snow and they want to have options to link up with friends and have cool experiences and travel" (Powder, February 10, 2017).
"This is a completely new concept for a ski pass and gives winter enthusiasts the freedom to access some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world", said Knapp, "There’s been an incredible spirit of collaboration amongst the partners to bring this historic alliance and innovative new product to life" (UnofficialNetworks, August 14, 2012).

In 2013 Snowbird, Whistler Blackcomb, and Mammoth joined The Mountain Collective. Since then The Mountain Collective consists entirely of independently owned resorts (with the exception of Whistler Blackcomb, which was bought by Vail Resorts in August 2016).
"The Mountain Collective successfully captured the imagination of mountain travel enthusiasts looking for variety, flexibility and affordable access to the best independent resorts in the world", said Knapp, "Adding these three world-class mountains makes this the ultimate dream pass, and only serves to enhance the value skiers and riders will enjoy from The Mountain Collective" (Transworld Business, March 12, 2013).

The Mountain Collective added another premier independent ski destination in North America to its roster of iconic mountains for the 2014-15 winter season: Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine. Also pass purchasers received two free days at Valle Nevado, Chile and Thredbo, Australia.

In March, 2015, Sun Valley Resort joins AltaSnowbird, Aspen Snowmass, Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine Village, Jackson Hole, Mammoth Mountain, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Thredbo, Valle Nevado and Whistler Blackcomb in this alliance of classic destinations. In August, The Mountain Collective widened their geographic reach with the addition of two iconic destinations to its roster. Stowe joined the Mountain Collective as their first resort on the East Coast, while Taos extends passholder access into New Mexico.

In addition, for the first time pass holders had also exclusive lodging deals and two bonus days at the Hakuba Valley, Japan.

Next season skiers and riders who join the Mountain Collective receive two free days of skiing or riding, unlimited 50% off single day lift tickets thereafter (with no blackout dates), and exclusive lodging deals at each of these 16 destinations:

With the Mountain Collective, it’s now possible for passionate skiers and riders to claim thousands of vertical feet and chase ideal winter conditions across Alberta, Australia, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, New Zealand, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.

You will receive two days of skiing at each destination, not Mountain. For example, you will receive two free days of skiing between Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley, as those two mountains are the same destination.
Alta and Snowbird are considered two separate destinations for 2017/2018.
Lake Louise and Sunshine Village are also considered two separate destinations for 2017/2018.

Affiliate destinations do not qualify for 50% off lift tickets.
The Mountain Collective pass can be purchased online at: http://mountaincollective.com

"The power of this alliance is the strength of these individual resorts", said Knapp. "We’re all competitors in a lot of ways, but there’s a lot of mutual respect and we all share common values. It’s all about skiing and the big mountain experience" (Powder, February 10, 2017).

We can honestly say this season at Mammoth has been the best in the country, producing the best spring conditions in decades. Even the biggest season on record [668” 2010-2011] did not produce the kind of conditions and coverage we’re seeing right now.
With a current base depth of 100” at Main Lodge and over 240” at the summit, Mammoth will be operating daily into August for one of the longest seasons in history.

Kids Ski free into August. Now through the end of the season, kids 12 and under ski and ride for free.

Squaw Valleyexpects to be open through the weekends in July. This season you can enjoy summer skiing and the 4th of July with a music and ski festival at Squaw Valley!

"An epic snow year means California will see skiers and riders from all around the world getting
in their last runs well past spring at multiple resorts", said Michael Reitzell, President of the
California Ski Industry Association (Ski California). "The conditions have been amazing and all
resorts have enjoyed a long season".

Reitzell thinks having winter and summer operations running simultaneously is a good thing. "In fact, it probably might lead to more people choosing to come try to do both on the same day, which is, I think, one of the coolest things California has to offer …" he said. "In Tahoe or Mammoth, you could go skiing, water skiing, mountain biking, river rafting, and play golf all in the same day".

Sunday, June 4, 2017

The UTMB® is a trail-running event for trail-runners from all over the world. Each year, the elite of the trail-running world find themselves in Chamonix to participate in one of the event's 5 races.To participate or assist with the UTMB®, is to vibrate to the rhythm of the trail-running planet and to share an extraordinary festival at the heart of a territory which has been mobilised for the occasion. 2 000 volunteers from 15 different countries, 19 French, Italian and Swiss communes within the Mont-Blanc country all working for the success of the event and supporting the UTMB® runners. 16 000 supporters who are coming to encourage their nearest and dearest and more than 50 000 spectators who will visit the salon and participate in the animations in all the villages of the Mont-Blanc country.

One of the greatest European Mountain Trail Races. The international race takes place in one of the most incredible landscapes on the world. A breathtaking scenery of seven valleys, 71 glaciers and 400 summits like the Mont Blanc, the Dent du Géant and the rock face of the Grandes Jorasses. The athletes cover a distance of 171 km and 10,300 of positive altitude change along the famous GR TMB, within 46 hours, at an altitude ranging between 1012 m and 2537 m., crossing six passes over 2000 metres high. They will pass through 3 countries: France, Italy and Switzerland. The sporting and human achievement is remarkable: 168 km is the distance between Paris and Auxerre by the motorway; it is also the distance of four marathons back to back. The positive height gain is equivalent to twice the ascension of Everest from base camp.

Created in 2006, it has become as popular as its big sister. The CCC is considered by many runners to be "the little one" nevertheless it too, constitutes one of the most difficult challenges in ultra - trail.
A semi-tour of Mont-Blanc, starting from Courmayeur with 101km, 6,100 metres of positive height gain and in semi-autonomy.
Starting in the centre of Courmayeur Friday September 1st at 9:00.

Wilder and more technical than the UTMB and the CCC, in the heart of the Aosta valley and the two Savoie, this demanding race offers a new vision of the tour of Mont Blanc and the Beaufortain country. The route will allow the discovery of the col de la Youlaz (2,661m) above Courmayeur, the "passage du Curé" or the sublime view of the massif of Mont Blanc from the col de la Gitte in the heart of Beaufortain.
A semi-tour of Mont-Blanc starting from Courmayeur with 119km, 7,250 metres of positive height gain and in semi-autonomy.
Starting from the centre of Courmayeur on Wednesday August 30th at 06:00.

The new race was launched in 2014. Tthis race will be perfect for fans of medium distances (in the category Trail Ultra Medium between 42km and 69km). Therefore, for the less "ultra" runners wishing to get into the event of the UTMB® will find a race suitable for them to start the adventure. Orsières will finally experiment the rhythm of a start of a race desired for several years.

The race will start from Orsières located southwest of the canton in the Val d’Entremont. This valley offers unique landscapes: ultimate peaks on the eastern flanks of the Mont Blanc drawing the franco-swiss frontier, hanging glaciers on polished rocks, fiery torrents… The layout of the OCC goes through that nature, in a charming atmosphere before reaching Champex and the last part just as magical at the UTMB® or the CCC®.Starting from Orsières Place Centrale on Thursday August 31st at 8:15.

A hallucinatory and non competitive event! A "grand" tour of Mont Blanc adding high passes, often higher than 2,500 metres and with some delicate passages. If you like solitude, solidarity and total adventure, that is the reason for trying it once.

This ultra-endurance pedestrian event leads participants on a large tour of Mont-Blanc,taking high routes, without way-markers on the ground, which necessitates the sense of orientation on and off paths.

Its conception is original and its unusual specificities distinguish it from other races. The spirit of the PTL® depends upon mental engagement, an adventurous team spirit as well as sporting values and also those of the mountains.

An event without final positions and in complete autonomy, to be realised by teams of 3 (or 2) inseparable runners. The total number of runners will be limited to 300.

The route is different each year, not way marked but simply mapped (GPS waypoints are provided). So as to progress in security competitors must be able to master navigation with a GPS and also have sufficient knowledge in map reading, the use of a compass and of an altimeter.

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Personal Details

Raul Revuelta is an internationally recognized public speaker, author, professor and tourism consultant.
"I hold a Doctorate in Geography and History from Madrid’s Complutense University together with a Master in Human Resources, specialized in Quality Management. In recent years my career and teaching and research work has centered around two areas: on the one hand, the integration of the principles of quality and sustainability in tourism, and on the other, sports and adventure tourism, with a special focus on the management of ski and mountain resorts.
I spend my spare time enjoying mountains and nature in general, but my biggest passion by far is skiing".